Study Guide for "The Immediate Goodness of God"

In "The Immediate Goodness of God", Elder Kyle S. McKay explores the concept of God's immediate blessings even while we are patiently waiting for His deliverance. He uses real-life examples to illustrate how God's love, kindness, and goodness are immediate and constant, regardless of our circumstances.

Before Reading

Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:

What does Elder McKay mean by "the immediate goodness of God"?
How does Elder McKay describe the relationship between patience and faith?
What examples does Elder McKay provide to illustrate the immediate goodness of God?
What role does repentance play in experiencing God's immediate goodness?
How does Elder McKay use the story of Alma and his people to illustrate his message?

Topics

Understanding God's Timing

Elder McKay explains that God's timing is often different from ours, and patience is key to understanding His divine plan. However, even while we wait, there are certain blessings that come to us immediately.

When the Lord or His servants say things like, "Not many days hence" or "The time is not far distant," it can literally mean a lifetime or longer.

His time, and frequently His timing, is different from ours. Patience is key.

What does Elder McKay mean when he says God's timing is different from ours?
Why is patience important in understanding God's timing?
Can you recall a time when you had to wait for God's timing? How did you feel during that period?
How can you cultivate patience while waiting for God's blessings?

The Immediate Goodness of God in Times of Trial

Elder McKay discusses how God shows His immediate goodness during our trials, even when deliverance is not immediate. This includes providing peace, hope, and love.

The immediate goodness of God comes to all who call upon Him with real intent and full purpose of heart.

In response, the Lord did not immediately deliver Joseph, but He did immediately pronounce peace.

What does Elder McKay mean by "the immediate goodness of God"?
How does God show His immediate goodness during our trials?
Can you recall a time when you experienced God's immediate goodness during a trial?
How can you seek God's immediate goodness during your current or future trials?

God's Love and Kindness are Immediate

Elder McKay emphasizes that God's love and kindness are constant and immediate, regardless of our circumstances or sins.

Above all, God’s love is immediate.

Even our sins, though they may separate us from His Spirit for a time, cannot separate us from the constancy and immediacy of His divine paternal love.

What does Elder McKay mean when he says God's love and kindness are immediate?
How do our sins affect our relationship with God?
How have you experienced God's immediate love and kindness in your life?
How can you strive to feel God's love and kindness more fully?

Repentance and God's Immediate Goodness

Elder McKay shares the story of Emilie, who experienced God's immediate goodness when she repented and turned to Him during her struggle with substance abuse.

And immediately, as He had done with Peter of old, Jesus stretched forth His hand and caught her sinking soul.

And thus we see that "if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you."

How did Emilie experience God's immediate goodness?
What role did repentance play in Emilie's experience?
How have you experienced God's immediate goodness through repentance?
How can you apply the principle of repentance more fully in your life?

God's Sustaining Power and Hope for Deliverance

Elder McKay shares Alicia's story of losing her son and how she was sustained by God's immediate goodness and the hope of eventual deliverance.

In that instant—at the mere utterance of her name and God’s power—Alicia was filled with an indescribable peace, love, comfort, and somehow joy.

And her eyes remain moist as she tells how the Great Deliverer has sustained her through every bit of her ordeal, beginning with His immediate goodness during her deepest despair and continuing now with the bright hope of a sweet reunion that is "not many days hence."

How did Alicia experience God's immediate goodness and sustaining power?
What hope does Alicia have for eventual deliverance?
How have you been sustained by God's immediate goodness during trials?
How does the hope of eventual deliverance help you during your trials?